When creating a website or blog, WordPress is a powerful and easy platform to use. Why WordPress? It has simple options for setting up your site so it is search engine friendly. When tweaked and set up correctly, you will be getting lots of visitors to your web site because they can find it easily in Google, Yahoo or Bing etc. The search engines love a well optimized website/blog and will reward those sites with higher natural rankings – meaning more traffic. This is the goal of every internet business. Be sure to learn SEO basics before you set up WordPress if you want more people to find your site quickly.
How To Start a WordPress Website or Blog – Step by Step
- 1. Choose a domain name, then Register it. Choosing the name takes a little thought and consideration. Before you choose, use a keyword tool for research. The actual registering itself only takes a few minutes. (You need to do this first, because you will use your domain name when getting a hosting provider). Only register your domain name first. You don’t need to add any other offers they suggest like emails etc. Just keep it simple. (This video below shows the more in depth, paid but advanced keyword tool I use before buying a domain name.) The freeGoogle keyword tool is good too. You can learn more about the (video below) advanced keyword tool here.
You can buy a domain name and host it with different companies if you prefer. For example you may buy (register) your domain name with HostGator.Com but have Hostmonster.Com as your hosting provider.
- Set up your hosting provider account.
Once you have your domain name, you someone who will host it for you. (For newbies, image this is similar to when you need an internet hosting provider. It’s the service provider that will keep your website live)
I like to host many of my WordPress blog and websites with Hostmonster because they have a great support team either online or by phone if you need it. They are also very inexpensive at around only $7 – $8 a month for unlimited domains. You can set up different websites or blogs all from the one account.
I like to host many of my WordPress blog and websites with Hostmonster because they have a great support team either online or by phone if you need it. They are also very inexpensive at around only $7 – $8 a month for unlimited domains. You can set up different websites or blogs all from the one account.
- Set your Nameservers
You can change your nameservers from where you bought your domain name. Inside your account, go into your domain manager and click on the domain name. Then select “set nameservers” from there. You can also edit your nameservers when you get sent an email confirming your registration. (I will have videos covering this.) I use Hosmonster, and this is what they look like. Click on the “I have specific nameservers for my domain” The first box is NS1.HOSTMONSTER.COM and the second box is NS2.HOSTMONSTER.COM. You can find this quick video tutorial I made here helpful abouthow to change your nameservers after registering your domain name. Or you can watch it below
Don’t panic if you don’t see changes straight away. It can take up to 3 days (usually 1) for your domain name to point to your new hosting account. This is why I usually set this up when I register the domain name.
- Install WordPress onto your Site
Now this is easy, just a click of your fingers! via the hosting account email you were sent, you can log in to your control panel. For example, if you are using Hostmonster, log in, then click on CPanel or control panel login. (You may have to use the temporary IP Address link via your email since your domain hasn’t created yet) Use the same username and password in that email. You can change your password later inside your account.
Inside CPanel scroll down to select “Simple Scripts” quick and easy installation and then proceed as follows below. Here is a “How to install WordPress from your cPanel” video tutorial I made here to help, or you can watch it below
Inside CPanel scroll down to select “Simple Scripts” quick and easy installation and then proceed as follows below. Here is a “How to install WordPress from your cPanel” video tutorial I made here to help, or you can watch it below
A re-cap of how to install WordPress and additional instructions -
* Select WordPress and click ―Install
* Select the latest ―stable‖ version of WordPress
* Designate where you want WordPress to be installed. I only use the root (main) address of the site.
* I select ―Advanced Options so I can rename my blog using my target keyword phrase.
* Enter your Username and Password which you will use each time you log into the administrative section of your site.
* Click ―Complete at the bottom and you are finished.
This may seem daunting the first time, but literally takes a few minutes. I will be adding video instruction on this. The system will go through the installation process which only takes around 30 seconds. When finished, you can click on the provided URL to your site, log into its WordPress administrative section and start blogging! Remember to save your login details!
- Choose your WordPress Theme
When logged into your WordPress Dashboard. Scroll down to “Appearance” You can find “Themes” under this. Select from the range of themes. You can do a search for particular keyword themes in the top search bar. Play around until you find something that suits your niche market and also has the header and sidebar configuration you like. The theme can always be changed at a click of your finger at any time. Just click “install” and “uninstall”. There are many excellent free themes. I also use and love FlexSqueeze. This is the theme I have used for this website. A YouTube video on choosing a WordPress theme may also help.
You may need to wait for your domain name to be activated because the nameserver update hasn’t yet taken effect. Don’t be alarmed if you still don’t see your new WordPress blog when you type your domain name into your browser bar.
You are ready to get blogging! You can use the Google keyword tool to get started. Just put in a few words closely related to your topic to get some good 2-3 word phrases for your post title. For more in depth keyword research I use this advanced keyword tool for research.
- Your Basic WordPress Site Customization Guide
* Add a category or categories specifically related to your website. These can be keyword phrases for getting traffic to your pages and implementing the best SEO for your site. Delete the “slug”
* Change the permalink structure under “Settings”. I use the custom setting for SEO purposes. Change to “Custom Structure” %postname%.html, or %postname%.htm.
* In “General” settings be sure to change your site title to your keyword phrase.
*In “Reading” again under settings, choose if you want a static front homepage, or posts.
*Activate your prefered theme under “Appearance”, Themes.
*Delete or edit the default post “Hello World” and change it to your first post, including your title and content.
*If spam comments are a concern to you, then go to “Plugins” and install “Akismet”.
Try it out. Don’t forget to save your work after writing or changing settings. When you have written a post or page, on the top right side you can choose to either “save as draft” or “publish” to the world! Enjoy and don’t forget – anything can be edited or deleted. Helpful video tutorials about WordPress and SEO can be at my YouTube channel AffiliatesCollege
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